How to watch
Better Call Saul Watch Order in the correct order
How to watch Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad in order
Last updated: April 30 2026
Written by: ChronoAlice
Better Call Saul is the acclaimed prequel and spinoff to Breaking Bad, following sleazy-but-loveable lawyer Jimmy McGill on his transformation into the morally bankrupt Saul Goodman. Knowing how it connects to Breaking Bad — and El Camino — makes for a deeply rewarding viewing experience.
Created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, Better Call Saul ran for six seasons on AMC from 2015 to 2022 and is widely regarded as one of television's greatest dramas — some fans even argue it surpasses its parent show. Set primarily before the events of Breaking Bad, it follows James 'Jimmy' McGill as he navigates the legal world of Albuquerque, New Mexico, alongside the parallel story of cartel enforcer Mike Ehrmantraut. The two universes gradually converge in ways that are endlessly surprising.
🕐 Release Order
Release order means watching Breaking Bad before Better Call Saul — this is the strongly recommended approach for newcomers, as Better Call Saul is richest when you already know the fates of the characters it introduces.
- Breaking Bad — Seasons 1–5 (2008–2013)
- Better Call Saul — Season 1 (2015)
- Better Call Saul — Season 2 (2016)
- Better Call Saul — Season 3 (2017)
- Better Call Saul — Season 4 (2018)
- Better Call Saul — Season 5 (2020)
- El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019)
- Better Call Saul — Season 6 (2022)
El Camino picks up immediately after the Breaking Bad finale and follows Jesse Pinkman. It's best watched after all of Breaking Bad and before Better Call Saul Season 6, which features sequences set after the events of Breaking Bad.
📖 Story Chronology
In story chronology, Better Call Saul's prequel storylines come before Breaking Bad — but the show also features flash-forward 'Gene' scenes set after Breaking Bad ends. The chronological order is complicated and best saved for a rewatch.
- Better Call Saul — Seasons 1–5 (2015–2020) — Jimmy McGill's descent; set before Breaking Bad
- Breaking Bad — Seasons 1–5 (2008–2013) — Walter White's story runs parallel to late BCS events
- El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019) — Jesse Pinkman's immediate aftermath
- Better Call Saul — Season 6 (2022) — the 'Gene' flash-forwards resolve Jimmy's post-BB fate
Which Order Should You Choose?
Start with Breaking Bad — full stop. Better Call Saul is meticulously crafted to reward people who already know what becomes of Saul Goodman, Mike Ehrmantraut, and the Salamanca cartel. The dramatic irony is one of the show's greatest pleasures. Once you've finished Breaking Bad, watch El Camino for Jesse's closure, then dive into all six seasons of Better Call Saul. Season 6 is a television finale for the ages that ties both shows together in a deeply satisfying way.
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